Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launches the Rs 175.45-crore Mission Golden Spice to transform Meghalaya's GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric into a globally competitive premium spice brand.
Shillong, July 21: In a major push to position the Northeast as a global hub for high-value agricultural products, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Tuesday launched Mission Golden Spice, a comprehensive Rs 175.45-crore initiative aimed at transforming Meghalaya's GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric into an internationally recognised premium spice brand.
Launched alongside Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project seeks to strengthen every stage of the turmeric value chain—from cultivation and processing to branding, marketing and exports—over a five-year period extending from 2025 to 2030.
The Mission forms a key component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of an Atmanirbhar North East, positioning Lakadong turmeric as Meghalaya's flagship contribution under the broader "Brand North East" initiative.
A Golden day to launch Mission Golden Spice!
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) July 21, 2026
An absolute pleasure to launch the ?175.45 crore Lakadong Turmeric Mission Golden Spice along with Hon’ble CM of Meghalaya @SangmaConrad, under @MDoNER_India’s USP initiative.
With the world’s highest naturally occurring curcumin… pic.twitter.com/1cOK4J8QAt
The project will be implemented in two phases, beginning with strengthening the existing value chain through improved infrastructure, processing and market linkages, followed by large-scale expansion and commercialisation.
Anchored by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Mission brings together multiple Central ministries and agencies, including the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries and Commerce, APEDA, the Spices Board, National Turmeric Board, ICAR, MeitY, NABARD, SFAC and the Government of Meghalaya.
The convergence model aims to establish a complete ecosystem supporting production, processing, certification, branding and exports of Lakadong turmeric.
Lakadong Turmeric's Premium Quality
Lakadong turmeric has earned global recognition for its exceptionally high curcumin content of 7–10 per cent, significantly above the global average. Curcumin is the compound responsible for turmeric's medicinal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making Lakadong highly sought after in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and premium food markets.
Despite its superior quality and GI-tag status, officials noted that farmers have not fully benefited from the crop's market potential due to inadequate processing infrastructure, weak branding, fragmented supply chains and limited value addition.
Addressing the launch programme, MDoNER Secretary Nivedita Shukla Verma said the Mission seeks to bridge these structural gaps by developing integrated processing facilities, improving cold-chain infrastructure, strengthening GI-based branding and establishing stronger buyer linkages in domestic and international markets.
She observed that export-grade processed turmeric commands substantially higher prices than raw produce, highlighting the need to move farmers beyond primary production into value-added processing.
Scindia: Lakadong Represents 'Brand North East'
Speaking at the launch, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia described the Mission as a practical expression of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of the "Ashtalakshmi" states, where each Northeastern state develops its own globally competitive niche product.
He said the Ministry had worked with all eight Northeastern states to identify their respective Unique Selling Propositions (USPs), enabling development strategies tailored to local strengths rather than centrally imposed models.
Scindia pointed out that Lakadong turmeric's curcumin concentration is nearly four times the global average, giving Meghalaya a significant comparative advantage in premium international markets.
He also highlighted the critical contribution of women farmers and self-help groups in turmeric cultivation and processing, describing them as central to the Mission's long-term success.
The Union Minister recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had showcased Lakadong turmeric during the recent G7 Summit, where it attracted considerable international interest.
According to Scindia, the Mission aims to almost double farmers' earnings from the current market price of Rs 30–40 per kilogram to nearly Rs 80 per kilogram by 2030, while simultaneously increasing cultivation from approximately 2,500 hectares to 7,500 hectares.
Meghalaya Government Sees Replicable Development Model
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma described the Mission as the culmination of years of groundwork undertaken by the State Government, agricultural institutions and farming communities.
He said the project reflects the Union Government's mission-mode approach of identifying one flagship product from each Northeastern state and building an integrated ecosystem around it.
Sangma noted that repeated attempts to cultivate Lakadong turmeric outside Meghalaya have consistently resulted in lower curcumin levels, demonstrating the unique agro-climatic conditions of the state's soil.
He expressed confidence that the success of Mission Golden Spice could pave the way for similar initiatives involving Meghalaya's pineapple, ginger, jackfruit, honey and mushroom sectors.
Integrated Processing Facilities Planned
Meghalaya Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Timothy D. Shira described Lakadong turmeric as more than an agricultural commodity, calling it a symbol of indigenous knowledge, culture and the state's farming heritage.
He observed that farmers have historically sold turmeric in raw or semi-processed form, limiting rural incomes despite the crop's premium quality.
Mission Golden Spice, he said, aims to reverse this trend through expanded cultivation, establishment of the Northeast's largest integrated organic turmeric processing and curcumin extraction facility, and stronger farmer-owned enterprises.
Women farmers, whom he described as the "true custodians" of the Lakadong value chain, will remain central to farmer producer organisations and processing enterprises developed under the Mission.
Farmers Welcome Initiative
Farmers from East and West Jaintia Hills who participated during the launch welcomed the initiative, describing Lakadong turmeric as a premium organic product with substantial export potential.
They expressed optimism that the Mission would improve market access, increase incomes and generate new livelihood opportunities for farming communities across Meghalaya.
Thousands of farmers joined the launch programme virtually from different parts of the Jaintia Hills, alongside representatives from farmer producer organisations, APEDA, the North Eastern Council, industry partners and officials from various government departments.
With its emphasis on integrated value-chain development, branding, processing, export promotion and farmer empowerment, Mission Golden Spice is expected to position Meghalaya as a global centre for premium organic turmeric while reinforcing the Northeast's growing role in India's high-value agricultural economy.
